Spathiphyllum plant named ‘Improbra’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Spathiphyllum  plant named ‘Improbra’ that is characterized by white spathes and dark green, glossy leaves.

Botanical classification: Spathiphyllum Schott.

Variety denomination: ‘Improbra’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Spathiphyllum plant botanically known as Spathiphyllum Schott. and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Improbra’.

‘Improbra’ is a hybrid that originated from the induced hybridization of the female or seed parent a proprietary Spathiphyllum Schott. identified as SP001 (not patented) and the male or pollen parent a proprietary Spathiphyllum Schott. identified as 332 (not patented). The cultivar ‘Improbra’ was selected by the inventor in January 2002 as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross in Melsen-Merelbeke, Belgium.

Asexual reproduction by tissue culture of the new cultivar ‘Improbra’ was first performed in February of 2002 in Melsen-Merelbeke, Belgium. Since that time, under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Spathiphyllum cultivar ‘Improbra’.

-   -   1. Spathiphyllum ‘Improbra’ exhibits white spathes.     -   2. Spathiphyllum ‘Improbra’ exhibits dark green, glossy leaves.

The closest comparison cultivar is Spathiphyllum ‘Alpha CD’. The new cultivar ‘Improbra’ is distinguishable from ‘Alpha CD’ by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Improbra’ has glossier leaves than ‘Alpha CD’.     -   2. ‘Improbra’ has a larger over all size than ‘Alpha CD’.     -   3. ‘Improbra’ has darker green leaves than those of ‘Alpha CD’.

The new cultivar ‘Improbra’ is distinguishable from the male parent Spathiphyllum 332 in having glossier leaves. The new cultivar ‘Improbra’ is distinguishable from the female parent Spathiphyllum SP001 in having darker green leaves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits of Spathiphyllum ‘Improbra’. The plant in the photograph shows an overall view of a 35 week old plant. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Spathiphyllum cultivar named ‘Improbra’. Data was collected in Melsen-Merelbeke, Belgium from 35 week old greenhouse grown plants in 24 cm containers. The time of year was Fall and the average temperature was 21 degrees Centigrade during the day and 18 degrees Centigrade at night. No photoperiodic treatments or growth retardants were used. Color determinations are in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirements are similar to the species. ‘Improbra’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   Botanical classification: Spathiphyllum Schott. ‘Improbra’. -   Use: Ornamental. -   Parentage: ‘Improbra’ is a hybrid plant that resulted from the     induced hybridization of the following parent plants:     -   -   Female parent.—A proprietary Spathiphyllum Schott.             identified as SP001.         -   Male parent.—A proprietary Spathiphyllum Schott. identified             as 332. -   Vigor: Moderate. -   Growth rate: Moderate. -   Growth habit: Moderately branching from base, bushy and dense. -   Plant shape: Inverted triangle with inflorescenes on top. -   Suitable container size: 21 cm diameter container. -   Height: Average 53 cm to top of leaf plane, 70 cm to top of     inflorescences. -   Width: Average 83 cm. in width. -   Hardiness: USDA Zone 10. -   Propagation: Tissue Culture. -   Time to initiate roots (summer and winter): Approximately 8 days to     produce roots on an initial cutting. -   Time to produce a rooted cutting or liner (summer and winter):     Approximately 16 days. -   Root system: Fine and fibrous. -   Stem: No stems, Leaves grow directly from base, Average 11 clumps,     clump color 143B. -   Foliage:     -   -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Appearance.—Glossy.         -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Compound or single.—Single.         -   Leaf shape.—Elliptic.         -   Leaf apex.—Apiculate.         -   Leaf base.—Attenuate.         -   Leaf length.—Average 29.1 cm in length.         -   Leaf width.—12.1 cm in width.         -   Quantity of leaves per clump.—Average 9.         -   Pubescence.—Absent.         -   Leaf margin.—Entire, slightly wavy.         -   Vein pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—143A/B to 144A.         -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—137C to 146B.         -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—139A.         -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—137B.         -   Vein color (lower surface).—144A/B.         -   Vein color (upper surface).—139A.         -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Petiole dimensions.—Average 25 cm in length excluding             geniculum, 4.5 mm in diameter below geniculum to 8 mm in             diameter above clump.         -   Petiole aspect.—Round.         -   Petiole color.—137A to 141A.         -   Geniculum dimensions.—Average 3.6 cm in length and 5.5 mm in             diameter.         -   Geniculum aspect.—Rounded, slightly glossy, glabrous.         -   Geniculum color.—137A/B.         -   Petiole sheath dimensions.—Average 19.6 cm in length and 7             mm in diameter.         -   Petiole sheath color.—137A to 141A with lighter areas near             the base.         -   Durability of foliage to stress.—High. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Spathes with spadices held above             the foliage on erect peduncles arising from the petiole             sheath.         -   Flowering habit.—Continuous.         -   Quantity of spathes per plant.—Average 4.         -   Natural flowering season.—Autumn to winter.         -   Time to flower or response time.—6 months.         -   Fragrance.—Strong, sweet.         -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Persistent.         -   Flower longevity.—Lasts approximately 3 weeks on plant.         -   Spathe aspect.—Concave, cupped.         -   Spathe dimensions.—Average 13.7 cm in length, 7.5 cm in             width and 3.8 cm in depth.         -   Spathe texture.—Glabrous, slightly leathery.         -   Spathe shape.—Broad elliptic.         -   Spathe margin.—Entire.         -   Spathe apex.—Apiculate, twisted.         -   Spathe base.—Cuneate.         -   Spathe color when opening (front side).—155C, tip green             143A/B.         -   Spathe color when opening (back side).—155C, main vein and             tip green 143A/B.         -   Spathe color when fully opened (front side).—155C, tip green             143A/B.         -   Spathe color when fully opened (back side).—155C with a main             vein green 143A/B.         -   Spathe color fading to.—Not fading.         -   Spadix shape.—Columnar, arising from top of peduncle.         -   Spadix tip.—Obtuse.         -   Spadix base.—Obtuse.         -   Spadix dimensions.—Average 6.9 cm in length and 1.6 mm in             diameter.         -   Spadix color when opening.—158C.         -   Spadix color when fully opened.—158A.         -   Quantity of flowers per spadix.—Average 140.         -   Spadix flower arrangement.—Bisexual, rounded.         -   Spadix flower dimensions.—3.5 mm in diameter and 3 mm in             depth. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Anther color.—158D.         -   Amount of pollen.—Moderate.         -   Pollen color.—158D.         -   Stigma color.—158C/D.         -   Ovary color.—158C. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Peduncle dimensions.—Average 53.5 cm in length and 4.5 mm.             in diameter.         -   Peduncle angle.—10 degrees.         -   Peduncle color.—143A/B.         -   Peduncle strength.—Strong. -   Seed: Seed production has not been observed. -   Disease and insect resistance: Plants of the new Spathiphyllum have     not been observed for disease or insect resistance. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Spathiphyllum plant named ‘Improbra’ as described and illustrated. 